Costa: Albania Could Conclude EU Accession Talks by 2027
European Council President António Costa said Albania could complete its European Union accession negotiations by 2027 if it maintains its current pace of reforms. Speaking at the EU–Moldova Summit in Brussels, Costa described Albania’s goal of closing negotiations by the end of 2027 as ambitious but achievable. He noted that …
Peleshi: 92% of Albanians Support EU Membership
Albania leads the Western Balkans in public support for European Union membership. Data from the European Commission shows very high levels of backing for EU integration. Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi stated that Albanians remain among the strongest supporters of the European project. He emphasized that 92% of citizens support …
Albania, Moldova, Ukraine and North Macedonia Sign Agreement to Promote Free Elections
The Central Election Commission of Albania and its counterparts in Moldova, Ukraine, and North Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen democratic resilience and European cooperation. First, the agreement was signed during the closing session of the regional conference “Money in Politics 2026.” As a result, the event marked …
Gogu Meets Bar Association, Stresses Stronger Cooperation in Justice System
Minister of Justice Toni Gogu held his first meeting with the new leadership of the National Bar Association in Tirana. First, both sides focused on strengthening institutional cooperation in the justice sector. They also discussed the implementation of new commitments following Albania’s signing of the Council of Europe Convention on …
Economy Committee: Bank of Albania Must Maintain a Cautious Approach to Exchange Rate Policy
The Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance reviewed the draft resolution on the annual activity report of the Bank of Albania for 2025. The committee also defined key priorities for the institution’s work in 2026. First, committee rapporteur and chair Milva Ekonomi praised the role of the Bank of …
Military exercise in Cape Gjuhëz area, navigation banned on June 23–24
The Municipality of Vlora has announced that navigation will be prohibited in the Cape Gjuhëz area on June 23 and 24, 2026, due to a coastal military exercise and live-fire drill conducted by the Albanian Armed Forces. According to an official notice from the Ministry of Defense, Military Unit No. …
Parliament calls for stronger oversight of bank lending, key issues reviewed
The Albanian Parliament has called on the Bank of Albania to strengthen its supervision of banks with high exposure to large businesses and the real estate sector. This was one of the main points of a draft resolution approved by the Economy Committee. The resolution highlights the need to analyze …
Macron reacts after meeting with Rama: France reaffirms support for Albania’s EU integration
French President Emmanuel Macron shared a message on social media platform X following his meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the Élysée Palace. Macron stated that France “reaffirms its support for Albania’s European integration and for the continuation of the reforms necessary to advance on its European path.” …
Germany on the protests: A citizens’ right, but an internal matter for Albania
In a public statement, Martin Giese, spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry, was asked about the ongoing protests taking place in Tirana. Specifically, Giese was asked whether the German government is in contact with the protesters in Albania, whether Berlin is aware of the protesters’ demands, and what it expects from …
Specialist Chambers: Detainees may visit Kosovo for humanitarian reasons
The legal framework of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers allows detainees to request visits to Kosovo for compelling humanitarian reasons. In a video statement released on Monday, the institution said that the regulations governing such visits were adopted by the judges in accordance with international human rights standards, including Article 5 …
TIRANA, July 1 – Italian media outlet “Idealista” has highlighted 15 key destinations across Albania, presenting the country as an increasingly attractive European tourism hub where history, nature, and coastal landscapes meet. The article notes that Albania combines Roman amphitheatres, Ottoman-era bazaars, and modern urban life within a short travel …
TIRANA, July 1 – President Bajram Begaj welcomed Ireland as it begins its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. In a message published on Wednesday, Begaj wished Ireland success during its term at the helm of the Council. He said Albania was encouraged that European Union enlargement …
Albania is expanding its digital public transport services as the summer tourist season increases travel demand across the country. The General Director of the Road Transport Services Directorate (DPSHTRR), Kreshnik Bajraktari, has launched an intensive information campaign in the field to promote the eTransport platform. The initiative aims to provide …
TIRANA, July 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met Hendrik Wüst during his visit to Bochum, Germany. Rama said the talks focused on expanding cooperation between Albania and North Rhine-Westphalia, one of Germany’s leading economic and industrial regions. He identified investment, digital technology, vocational education, and Albania’s European Union membership …
“Shtëpia e Midhjeve” (The House of Mussels), a culinary destination located near Saranda, has ranked second in the “TEA’s Gastronomy Award” category at the TEA Awards 2026 ceremony. The National Tourism Agency says this recognition places “Shtëpia e Midhjeve” among the most highly rated gastronomic destinations based on visitor reviews …
TIRANA, July 1 – United States Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati reaffirmed Washington’s support for Kosova during an event marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Prattipati said the partnership between the United States and Kosova rests on shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to security and opportunity. She …
TIRANA, July 1 – Albanian humanist Frang Bardhi passed away on July 1, 1643. He was a lexicographer, historian, folklorist, ethnographer and senior Catholic cleric. Bardhi was born in 1606 in Kallmet, Zadrima. He completed his studies at the religious college in Loreto, Italy, in 1628. He later earned a …
TIRANA, July 1 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said EU enlargement is a strategic necessity for Europe’s security, stability and competitiveness during a conference in Luxembourg on EU support for the Western Balkans, held by the European Court of Auditors. The Albanian chief diplomat said the Western Balkans and the …
The EU4Culture program has officially ended in Albania after restoring and revitalizing 23 cultural heritage sites across the country. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) implemented the project, which the European Union funded with a total budget of €40 million. The program ran from October 2020 to June …
TIRANA, July 1 – The Council of Ministers declared the Apolonia Archaeological Park an immovable cultural heritage asset, also approving its boundary definition, zoning, and a new protection and management plan. The Albanian government said the new status applies in line with the official zoning map and coordinates set in …